…we have to reject (negative) narratives related to ethnicity, religion, race, or societal group (SARA) and hate, as well as ensure the digital space remains safe and conducive.
Palembang, South Sumatra (ANTARA) - Minister of Communication and Informatics Budi Arie Setiadi has invited young people to fight hoaxes related to the 2024 General Elections circulating on social media platforms.

At the "Dissemination of Information on Peaceful 2024 General Elections" here on Monday, he said that first-time voters must help prevent various forms of information chaos, such as the spread of hoaxes, defamation, hate speech, and acts that degrade a person's dignity.

"We must stay alert against the spread of information chaos because, based on research, 62 percent of internet users have witnessed information chaos. To this end, we must prevent information chaos from the digital space," he stressed.

During the 2019 General Elections, the Ministry of Communication and Informatics recorded 714 cases involving the spread of hoaxes. However, only 204 hoax issues were detected in the period from 2023 to January 2024.

"Despite the decline in (the number of) hoax issues, hoax issues still exist," he noted.

He then encouraged the community to exercise their right to vote smartly and wisely.

"To this end, we have to reject (negative) narratives related to ethnicity, religion, race, or societal group (SARA) and hate, as well as ensure the digital space remains safe and conducive," he said.

He also appealed to members of the community to filter information before they share it with others to prevent the spread of hoaxes.

Indonesia will hold the General Elections on February 14, 2024, in which around 204.8 million voters are expected to participate. The campaigning period for the elections started on November 28, 2023, and will end on February 10, 2024.

During the elections, Indonesians will choose a president and vice president as well as members of the House of Representatives (DPR), Regional Representatives Council (DPD), and Regional Legislative Councils (DPRD) at the provincial, city, and district levels.

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Translator: Ahmad Rafli, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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